Originally published in the BurdaStyle July 1952 issue, this car coat pattern 10/2012 #134 is both elegant and comfortable! Retro detailing included gathered raglan seams, a gathered back yoke, and snappy angled slashed pockets. We love the sweet rounded collar. Make it in this casual yet chic Italian black and winter white wool tweed, and get ready for relaxed Sunday afternoons whale-watching while sipping hot spiced cider and cruising the bay. Reminder: all Britex Fabrics’ online wool coatings are on sale through October 22nd!

Jennifer from the blog TheChroniclesOfHome nests with ease and style! Here, she has written a tutorial on building an upholstered bench with nailhead trim. She says, “My great-grandfather was an upholsterer and I’m beginning to think this fondness for building things with my hands (and some awesome power tools) might be in my blood…It may look like a lot of work, and while not quite a leisurely afternoon project, I promise you the whole thing took me no more than 5-6 hours total.” This would be a great autumnal home sprucing up project – make it with our spiffy black and white tweed fabric, trim it with luxurious black braiding, and finish it off with decorative silver nailheads…and then cozy up with a cup of hot cider, plate of salted walnut shortbread cookies, and a mesmerizing mystery.

Drat! We missed the last SF Tweed ride, however ‘tis never too early to prepare for 2012. We have a plethora of tweed fabrics at Britex Fabrics, ready to be sewn into wooly dapper attire…capes, Norfolk jackets, riding suits, smoking jackets (pipe optional)! According to SF Tweed, we are “a rare breed of cyclist — ladies and gents who refuse to endure anymore spandex! For us there is nothing better than a spin through our fair streets in the finest most dapper attire. As we are courteous, we do not look down on our more pedestrian fellows. SF Tweed will embrace all forms of Tweed Culture: from cycling to croquet outings to picnics — anywhere there is a spot of tea available. If you yourself are hosting an event where tweed would be welcome please let us know!” (photo from Boston Tweed Run, 2010)

Amanda visited Britex Fabrics all the way from Ely, United Kingdom, and bought two jacket lengths of Italian wool tweed to make jackets for her children. One of them was this Italian olive and turquoise tweed wool blend. and the other was another coloration of this luscious tweed fabric. She used Vogue patterns, and we think they turned out superbly! We especially love the red buttonholes, which act as a charming foil to the blues.

There is hardly anything better to do with the hot lazy days of summer than to make an icy pitcher of mint tea or tangy lemonade, learn new sewing techniques, experiment with patterns, and make autumn duds. We forecast the recurrence of fabulously dapper casual clothing; the suave vintage-inspired Norfolk jacket is perfect for chilly days spent drinking hot chocolate while strolling through fall foliage. Kass at ReconstructingHistory has published patterns and directions for men’s Norfolk jackets and women’s Norfolk jackets, including embellishment suggestions, historical notes and period tailoring. We are planning on making our own sportif Norfolk jacket from coffee brown and cream wool tweed, lined with brown and cream geometrically patterned silk, and fastened with woven brown leather buttons….with all fabrics and buttons are available at Britex Fabrics!